The Denison University softball team split a key North Coast Athletic Conference doubleheader with Hiram College on Friday evening in Granville. The Big Red won the opener 4-0, and dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 decision in the nightcap.

Game one was a classic pitchers' duel between Denison rookie Rebecca Dyer and Hiram first-year Alyssa Lane. Both pitchers were carrying a no-hitter through three innings of work. With one down in the top of the fourth, the Big Red's Rachel Laughlin broke up Lane's no-hit bid in a big way. After taking two balls to open the at bat, Laughlin blasted a pitch over the wall in center field. The rookie's fifth home run of the season gave DU a 1-0 edge.

Dyer's attempt at a third no-hitter was broken up in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a two-out base hit by Alexandra Singer. In the fifth frame, Denison doubled their lead when Laughlin plated junior Lauren Lynn via fielder's choice.  Senior Erica Evans added to the Big Red's lead in the top of the seven. After Laughlin reached on a two-out single up the middle, Evans turned on the first pitch of the at bat and sent a towering shot over the left field wall. The senior's seventh homer of the year moved her into a tie for first on DU's career hits list, while the two RBIs moved her into second on the school's all-time RBI list.

In the bottom of the frame, Dyer retired the side in order to secure her sixth shutout victory of the season. The first-year pitcher improved to 9-3 on the year after scattering four hits and striking out five in seven innings of work.

In the nightcap, Kelsey Hager turned in an equally impressive performance inside the circle in a losing effort. Over 5.2 innings, the rookie hurler struck out a career-high 10 batters, issued four walks, scattered five hits and allowed three unearned runs.  The Big Red took a 2-0 lead in the third on a two-out double by Laughlin that scored Lynn and Hager. However, a fielding miscue in right field resulted in three Terrier runs in the fifth inning.

Laughlin finished the day with three hits, including a home run and a double, four RBIs and two runs scored, while Hager went a perfect 2-for-2 with a run scored in the second game.

Sarah Padilla got the win in game two for Hiram. She had five strikeouts, gave up two runs on five hits and issued three free passes. In game two, Kristen Cooney went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Denison moves to 23-7 on the year and 8-2 in the NCAC, while the Terriers sit at 21-10 overall and 10-2 in the league. The Big Red return to action on Saturday (April 30) when they host Allegheny College at 1 p.m.